Author Topic: A little "adventure" riding yesterday on the V700 (Read 1627 times)

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **on:** July 01, 2019, 09:55:39 AM »

Rode most of MABDR Section 5 and a little of Section 6. Picked up the route at Dahlgren Rd. and dropped off on PA641. I thought it would be a good test of man and machine - it was. It's been 6 years since I last rode in Michaux St. Forest and never on a bike as heavy as a V700, so I took the time to a) "get back in the groove" and b) find out how capable the heavy old Guzzi is.

Most of Michaux is nicely graded packed dirt/gravel, but there are sections that are rather rough and rocky, have loose/large/deep gravel or are crater strewn. A modern adventure bike wouldn't have a problem with these, but a 50 year old, 520+ lb. touring bike with maybe 4 inches of suspension travel is another matter - I used *every bit* of the travel several times.

I had to learn to trust the V700 - where my Yamaha XT500 would dart every which direction after a deep hole or diagonal wash, the V700 just stays on course. In the deep gravel it dances around but always just keeps going the desired direction. Uphill in the rough and rocky sections, torque and a massive flywheel (13 lbs.) were my friends. The Duro HF308s worked great - never a slip, slide or wheelspin.

Anywho, 234 miles total, very enjoyable, slow-paced day, I'm not beat to death and neither is the V700.

Getting ready to go "on course". Dahlgren Chapel near Boonsboro, MD.

Finally back in Michaux. If anything, it seems more densely forested than I remember. The roads that were smooth still are, the ones that were rough still are too!

Lone Pine Reservoir. Lots of folks out enjoying the day.

I've been by here a bunch of times, but have never stopped until today. Had a late lunch of turkey sandwich and a bottle of Birch Beer.

Obligatory photo of Laughlin Mill.

Haven't been up here since I had my MZ Saxon Country back in '09! Tower Rd. scenic overlook near McConnellsburg.

Pretty amazing view. Northeast towards Shippensburg? direction.

Southeast towards Mercersburg and Greencastle.

This has been cleared since I was up here back then, but is slowly making a comeback.

Not far from home now. Blairs Valley Lake, part of Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2019, 10:03:21 AM »

Nice report, I really like seeing other parts of our country! Thank you for posting!

(that was easy, some of you ought to try that)

Groover · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2019, 10:13:18 AM »

Thanks for posting, looks very peaceful

Rich A · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2019, 10:23:08 AM »

So nice--that's looks like an ideal ride.

Rich A

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2019, 10:23:08 AM »

rdbandkab · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2019, 10:23:25 AM »

Great pictures!!

I'll have to head that way in the coming weeks and do some exploring.
I've been lax on picking new routes.

richy

m13 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2019, 10:25:03 AM »

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #6 on:** July 01, 2019, 10:47:08 AM »

Quote from: rdbandkab on July 01, 2019, 10:23:25 AM

Great pictures!!

I'll have to head that way in the coming weeks and do some exploring.
I've been lax on picking new routes.

richy

If you need any help re: routing, just let me know. Or if you want to meet up and ride a bit, there's nothing (except work of course!) on my schedule until Sept.

SED · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2019, 11:05:05 AM »

Great report makes it look like a very fun rude. Beautiful pictures too. Thanks!

T4halo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2019, 11:34:59 AM »

Nice ride report and glad to see another Loop being used. I actually like the old 4 speed in my Ambassador. I bet you spent quite a bit of time in 3rd gear chugging along.

Tony

Lannis · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2019, 11:57:21 AM »

I didn't even know that the MABDR existed until Bill Hagen or someone mentioned it this year ... and a lot of it is not far from my house.

Sounds like a job for the BSA Firebird Scrambler once I get the new top end on and back on the road.....

Lannis

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #10 on:** July 02, 2019, 09:48:05 AM »

Looks like she does the job that you built her for.

Great pix..

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2019, 04:37:14 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on July 02, 2019, 09:48:05 AM

Looks like she does the job that you built her for. Great pix..

Yep. My "V700 TT" (Tutto Terreno) decals can now be applied to the battery covers without it being seen as facetious.

blu guzz · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2019, 05:35:19 PM »

i spent most of my life in suburban washington d.c. and know those riding areas. really makes me miss them. enjoy them for both of us.

s1120 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2019, 06:52:30 AM »

I never knew I needed a bike like that till today...

bodine99 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2019, 10:19:35 AM »

SWEET!! love the V-700 great pixs from a very nice ride. Thanks

brider · « **Reply #15 on:** July 03, 2019, 11:10:00 AM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on July 01, 2019, 09:55:39 AM

The Duro HF308s worked great - never a slip, slide or wheelspin.

What are those tires like on high-speed cornering (that the V700 is comfortable doing)? I like the idea of them on an older Loop, but looking at the tread pattern makes me think a real good lean at speed might not be wise.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #16 on:** July 03, 2019, 11:46:11 AM »

Quote from: brider on July 03, 2019, 11:10:00 AM

What are those tires like on high-speed cornering (that the V700 is comfortable doing)? I like the idea of them on an older Loop, but looking at the tread pattern makes me think a real good lean at speed might not be wise.

I'm not the "peg dragging" sort, but so far they've been totally confidence inspiring, at any lean angle, wet or dry.

Lannis · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2019, 03:13:44 PM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on July 01, 2019, 09:55:39 AM

Finally back in Michaux. If anything, it seems more densely forested than I remember.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your outlook), that means that you've now lived long enough for entire forests to have grown up from seedlings, matured, and be ready for harvest (maybe more than once) in your lifetime!

I've seen the same thing ...

Lannis

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2019, 06:15:12 PM »

Quote from: brider on July 03, 2019, 11:10:00 AM

What are those tires like on high-speed cornering (that the V700 is comfortable doing)? I like the idea of them on an older Loop, but looking at the tread pattern makes me think a real good lean at speed might not be wise.

Seriously. I used to run Enduros with full knobbies.
Rode the bike to work during the week. It was fine. I seriously doubt Charlie's tires will get pushed much by a loop..

DougG · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2019, 07:18:51 PM »

Thank you for the most excellent pics. Beautiful weather...scenery.

Be well,

DougG

brider · « **Reply #20 on:** July 03, 2019, 08:52:02 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on July 03, 2019, 06:15:12 PM

Seriously. I used to run Enduros with full knobbies.

And I used to race motocross with full knobbies, but I sure as hell wouldn't take a tight highway cloverleaf ramp @ 70 mph with them, that's why I asked about high-speed cornering on them. I like the look, but a Loop is capable of high speeds.

I DID do some research, and they tend to be popular with the sidehack crowd.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #21 on:** July 03, 2019, 09:25:18 PM »

Quote from: brider on July 03, 2019, 08:52:02 PM

And I used to race motocross with full knobbies, but I sure as hell wouldn't take a tight highway cloverleaf ramp @ 70 mph with them, that's why I asked about high-speed cornering on them. I like the look, but a Loop is capable of high speeds.

I DID do some research, and they tend to be popular with the sidehack crowd.

Fastest I've cornered was likely only 50 mph on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Maybe Nick Adams has pushed them a bit harder.

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Author Topic: A little "adventure" riding yesterday on the V700 (Read 1627 times)

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